Tuesday, April 28, 2009

{Spring Fever}

I wish I could say that was what has been keeping me away from my bloggie.
Truth be told it's finals time, so I am caught up in a world of exams, studying, & writing papers. I wish I was done. I wish a lot of things right now...

I wish I was playing with my friends...

& eating piles of candy...

at a tea party!


PS...the Kentucky Derby has quickly sneaked up on us,
so I will let you in on my party details this week!


Wednesday, April 22, 2009

{Cocktails}

Today while walking to my car after class, I realized I wanted a drink. And not just a beer or a glass of wine, but a cocktail. A nice, summery, refreshing cocktail. Margarita? Mojito? I simply cannot decide! With the balmy 78 degree weather these just seem perfect.
Here are a few of my faves:
I already know that some of you adore Mojitos as much as I. The trick? Getting a really good one. I've had bad Mojitos...when they are bad, they are BAD.

{Photo via Hostess Blog}
Champagne & Chambord is my all-time favorite. Champagne, hello?! It's très simple: splash a bit of Chambord in the bottom of a glass, then fill with champagne. Voila!
{I usually garnish mine with a lovely curl of lemon.}

Another refreshing choice is the classic Tom Collins. Here's a recipe from scratch....I myself buy the mix & add gin & soda. I'm lazy like that. If you've never experienced the T.C., check it out. It's sweet & sour & tangy & light. I it.

So there you have it. 3 lovely warm-weather cocktails. Give 'em a try, or stick with your tried & true Budweiser. You know I'd never judge.


Monday, April 20, 2009

{Party Time}

My dear friend & of my life Cassandra over @ Happy Panda was discussing upcoming party ideas with me last night. There are just too many parties & too little time!
Here are a few doozies we came up with...
Obviously, our staple & the beginning of it all, the Annual Kentucky Derby Party. We hold this every year at my lovely friend Shelley's home {Miss Mass for Shut-Ins} complete with Mint Juleps, bocce ball, gorgeous hats, & gambling {for fun, of course...no illegal bets here!}.
{Look closely - it's 2 wolves in 1!}
You know Wolf shirts, right?
In comes the W O L F party. I think this could be my fave for a full-moon night fête. It's the brainchild of Cassie & a trip to a truck stop, I believe.
We're also both kinda in with Twilight, and this party over at Hostess with the Mostess looks pretty fab. We simply cannot pass up the opportunity!

{Apparently the Indian gets no weapon...}
Some other possibilities? Cowboys & Indians {we all need a little childhood fun every now & then}, Halloween Murder Mystery dinner par-tay, High Tea, the good ol' standby - Wine & Cheese, our friends T & C's "Hot" Party, & many, many more.

I'm pretty sure I could find a reason for a party a week. Perhaps that will be my resolution for 2010. How about you all? Any party ideas I'm blatantly forgetting & need to add to my repetoire?

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

{3 Things}

Spring is here!
Have I mentioned that once or twice?

I'm slightly zapped after a long school day,
so here are 3 lovely things
I'm currently enjoying due to this beautiful season.

{Minhaus Craft Brewery}
I found this at our local grocer today. As you know, I've been looking for a replacement to my beloved Old Style Light & this Minhaus Light is a contender {$11 for 24!}.

{Portobellos via Better Homes & Gardens}
That same lovely grocer has been selling these GIANT portobello mushrooms like mad this past week. I've bought more than a few. They are de-lish! Seared in a pan with some butter & voila, you've got dinner.

{Violets via Canal Photos}
I've been noticing these little violets popping out of the ground all around campus. Whenever I see them struggling through the earth they make me smile.

Happy Spring!

Monday, April 13, 2009

{Fun Gifts}

My mother has always been super organized & prepared for any occasion.
She used to have {maybe still does?} little hostess gifts & greeting cards on hand for any holiday or event. I think this is such a great idea for those last-minute parties or {forgotten!} birthdays.

I Fred Flare & their lighthearted, fun items. Here are a few of my faves...
{All items from fredflare.com}

While everyone is buying fancy BlackBerrys & iPhones, you can impress your friends with the always lovely cell phone receiver. {I mean, come on, it's funny.}

And the candles would come in quite handy when you realize it's your best pal's b-day & you need to turn that McDonald's cheeseburger into a makeshift b-day cake.

How about you?

Do you all keep cards & hostess gifts around for emergency's sake?
There are lots of fun options, so maybe you should consider it...
& pick something up for yourself, while you're at it!

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

{Thirsty Thursday}

I know it isn't Thursday yet, but it will be soon.

My best friend Charles M. is coming to town tomorrow, followed closely by his boyfriend Kenny on Friday. So basically, my weekend begins tomorrow. Jealous? Well, I've earned it. I just took 3 exams with a sinus infection. Yeah, yeah, poor Piper. But yes, poor Piper.

What's on the agenda, you ask?

{The Homy, an Omaha tradition}
We both adore champagne, so I'm thinking The Homy Inn, where champagne is served on tap. Okay, it kinda tastes like crap, but it's in a keg! How can one say no?

{M's Pub in the Old Market}
Speaking of bubbly, it's a tradition for us to have dinner at M's Pub in the Old Market & drink cheap champagne by the bottle. Makes us feel classy. Ha.

{EASTER EGGS!}
Easter dinner is to be at my sister & bf's house Sunday. I am making the deviled eggs: salmon dill & spicy avocado. Mmm, unborn chickens....

I still cannot breathe through my nose like a normal human,
so I'm off to drink some cough syrup & head to bed.
I have a big weekend ahead of me!

Thursday, April 2, 2009

{Gifts from Afar}

My parents just got back from 3 months abroad. They traveled through Northern Africa & Europe. I would have loved to have gone, but it's okay. I got presents. Want to see a few?

{Longchamp Love}
A peony-pink Longchamp! Just in time, too. My text books have taken a toll on my current bag. {Mine has the longer handle too, so I can wear it to class.}

{Chanel Travel Makeup Palette}
A multi-use compact by Chanel...I these compacts. 4 eyeshadows, 2 glosses, 2 lipsticks, & a blush. And the colors are very wearable. I love that it's called "Fly High" because it's only available at Duty Free Shops.

You want to know what the best part is though? My parents are home.
Yay.